Can't believe I'm here asking this again....a write off ???

markoneswift

Hey guys, not been on here for ages which shows how good my latest Zaf has been to me !!

Last night the take away delivery guy smacked into the passenger front door of my 03 plate 2.2 Zaf Elegance and badly dented the door around the lock area. I'm pretty sure the door skin is a gonner, no other damage though apart from the door handle / surround.

Question is - Direct Line are taking it in for me tomorrow and bearing in mind the cost of repair + hire car, could I be looking at a write off ??

My Zaf is the 2.2 auto Elegance, silver, 03 plate with 85K on clock. MOT is up next month but otherwise a good motor. I reckon it's worth 2.5K what do people think ??

Cheers all

Matt

**Re: Can't believe I'm here asking this again....a write off **

Could you just get another door from a scrap yard/breaker and have it painted to match?

markoneswift

**Re: Can't believe I'm here asking this again....a write off **

Well I could I suppose, but that would involve time and effort and faffing about and I'd end up with a car that is in a worse state than before it was hit. I'm not really bothered if it is written off, just rather not have to go car shopping ( again...... )

MikeS

**Re: Can't believe I'm here asking this again....a write off **

it will mess up your insurance for next year m8 as well

if possible try not go through insurance

bobbyknowlds

**Re: Can't believe I'm here asking this again....a write off **

if its just a skin .... nope it wont be a write off , but seeing as tho its direct line .....and that i work in a bodyshop who deals with direct line it will more than likely be repaired , can you put a pic up and i could give you an idea of what may happen

markoneswift

**Re: Can't believe I'm here asking this again....a write off **

I've attempted to attach a pic :-)

markoneswift

**Re: Can't believe I'm here asking this again....a write off **

Wayhey ! Successful attachment of picture goodness ! Handle doesn't work properly now either, but door still usable :-)

markoneswift

**Re: Can't believe I'm here asking this again....a write off **

solorider

**Re: Can't believe I'm here asking this again....a write off **

that door i would say can be reskinned,the damage does not look too bad

bobbyknowlds

Re: Can't believe I'm here asking this again....a write off

that door will get repaired thats not much damage at all , i doubt they will skin it... no worries about it being a write off , the handle wont work properly as the rod will be pushed tight and out of line of its hole in the catch but that will be sorted when handle removed and dent pulled out , they will blend into the rear door for colour so if there is any other marks on that side of car have a word with the estimater and ask how much extra to put right while car partially stripped for repair and paint , :thumbup:

MikeS

**Re: Can't believe I'm here asking this again....a write off **

cost 1000 to respray one side of car including removal of damaged door, put new door on and prep side

god knows how much for brand new door, paint, electric window motor, door trim, door card, wing mirror

cost of car rental whilst in body shop if you decide to have one

40% of car value = write off

so i would say close if you get insurance company to repair car for you so i would find body shop to do work for you and send insurance company quote - either 2nd hand door or repair existing one or even better come to agreement with 3rd party over costs and exclude insurance company

markoneswift

**Re: Can't believe I'm here asking this again....a write off **

Hi ok cheers guys, well it's being picked up this morning by UK Assist in Normanton, Wakefield so we'll see what they say. I thought the skin would be knackered due to the quite high crease near the back edge of the door ?

Anyway, understand what you're saying Mike but I've had situations before where 'agreements' have been made for repair costs and folks always ( in my experience ) go back on their word when the actaul costs to them to repair the damage is revealed ! I used to be a staunch 'lets not involve the insurance' supporter but I've been screwed too many times - I just let the folk I pay good money to sort it out. If they try to put my premium up, I just threaten to go elsewhere and they usually 'adjust' it back to what it was before :-)

bobbyknowlds

**Re: Can't believe I'm here asking this again....a write off **

wakey ... which bodyshop is it going to ?

markoneswift

**Re: Can't believe I'm here asking this again....a write off **

It's going to UK Assist at Normanton, that's as much as I know :-)

Matt

**Re: Can't believe I'm here asking this again....a write off **

Thread tidied up.

markoneswift

**Re: Can't believe I'm here asking this again....a write off **

Thanks Matt, I'll post the results of the examination.....

markoneswift

**Re: Can't believe I'm here asking this again....a write off **

Morning ! UK Assistance have just called and told me the following. The door panel is going to be replaced, tidy up some marks on rear door so flick in to front wing and rear wing for colour. About a weeks work, not a write off. So, as far as assessment goes, 'bobbyknowlds' was pretty much on the money. Cheers all

Matt

**Re: Can't believe I'm here asking this again....a write off **

Glad it's getting sorted and not going to be going to the scrap heap in the sky :thumbup:

markoneswift

**Re: Can't believe I'm here asking this again....a write off **

Cheers Matt - not just yet by the loos of things lol. You might as well close this thread now mate :wave:

astra22bertoneauto

**Re: Can't believe I'm here asking this again....a write off **

Glad its getting fixed mate. As for the price of Zafs, they seem to hold their price quite well. Mine was valued recently 1800 - 2200 for my Y plate elegance model with 107k. I paid a lot less as it needed chain kits and hadnt been serviced for 3 years.